Mattress having adjustable resiliency



J. W. LINCOLN MATTRESS HAVING ADJUSTABLE RESILIENCY Filed Jan. 13. 1959 July 19, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet l JOHN W. LINCOLN Y ATTORNEYS July L9, 1960 J. w. LINCOLN MATTRESS HAVING ADJUSTABLE RESILIENCY Filed Jan; 13, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JOHN W. LINCOLN ATTORNEYS July 19; 1960 J. W. LINCOLN MATTRESS HAVING ADJUSTABLE RESILIENCY Filed Jan. 13, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

(7522/; W .Zz'na'ah BY MQZW "w July 19, 1960 J. w. LINCOLN 2,945,244

MATTRESS mvmc ADJUSTABLE RESILIENCY Filed Jan. 13, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 mwszvrog. (faiz Wlz'lzealzz 2,945,244 MATTRESS HAVING ADJUSTABLE RESILIENCY John W. Lincoln, Lincoln, Mass, assignor to Arthur D.

Llitfleflno, Cambridge, Mass, a corporation of Massac usetts Filed Jan. 13, 1959, Ser. No. 787,320

14 Claims. (Cl. -345) This invention relates to box springs and the like, hereinafter called mattresses, this application being in part a continuation of my prior application Ser. No. 720,736,

filed March 11, 1958, now abandoned.

Different people prefer mattresses havlng different degrees of resiliency and the principal object of the present invention is to provide a mattress which is adjustable throughout a wide range of resiliency. Other objects are to provide a mattress which can be adjusted quickly and easily and in which the adjustment may be eflected from outside the mattress.

According to the present invention, a series of torsion springs are disposed between the top and bottom walls of the mattress with actuating means for twisting the springs in response to movement of the top wall toward the bottom wall and means for varying the resistance of the springs to the aforesaid movement. Preferably the springs are elongate and extend approximately parallel to the aforesaid walls, and the actuating means bridges the space between the walls- The resistance of the springs may be varied by changing the efiective length of the springs or by altering the leverage through'which the actuating means transmit the movement of the top wall to the springs.

For the purpose of illustration typical embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which 7 Fig.1 is a top plan view of a box mattress embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of one of the supporting unlts;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section through one of the couplings interconnecting the torsion arms and bars;

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the parts shown inFig. 5; v Fig. 7 is a plan view of a modification; Fig. 8 is a section on line 3-8 of Fig. 7; i j

Fig. 9 is a symmetric view of the modification adjusted for maximum hardness;

Fig. 10 is a section on line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a view like Fig. 9 showing the adjustment for maximum softness; and

Fig. 12 is a section on line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6 I provide an adjustable resilient support having one or more units, each of which comprises a torsion bar relatively fixed at one end so that its other end may be free to flex transversely of its longitudinal axis, and mounted on the torsion bar is the end portion of a torsion arm which is relatively movable longitudinally of the torsion bar so as to vary its effective length and hence its stress-strain characteristics. In some cases the torsion bar is fixed to a base so that the arm is movable longitudinally, but in other cases the arm is fixed so that the torsion bar is longitudinally movable, depending upon the particular type of support. The free end of the arm extends outwardly from the torion bar and is arranged to support an object.

Patented July 19, 1960 Where a pair of such units act conjointly coupling means interconnects the arms so that they swing simultaneously in opposite directions and are thus effective to translate the curvilinear motion of the arms into a substan- 5 tially linear motion of a support associated therewith. The coupling means may interconnect the free ends of the arms, their fixed ends, or an intermediate positionso long as it substantially equalizes the twisting movement, i.e., angle of twist of the torsion bars. Any suit- 10 able type of supporting means may be connected with one or both arms at points spaced from their connection with the torsion bars.

Several of such units may be used together and to this end the movable bars or arms, as the case may be, are 15 connected by suitable couplings or tie-lines so that the efiective length of the torsion bars may be simultaneously varied the same amount by sliding them through the slots 12 in the torsion arms 14 and 16. The number and arrangement of such units will depend on weight and shape of the load to be-supported. Referring to the Figs. 1 to 4, the box mattress therein shown comprises a flat base 1 such as a sheet of plywood on the marginal portions of which are mounted conven tional coiled springs 2, the upper ends of which may be tied together by clips 4 (Fig. 1 in conventional manner. Extending about and secured to the periphery of the base is the lower end of vertical wall 5 (Fig. 2) of the mattress covering or ticking.

Mounted in the area surrounded by the springs 2 are a plurality of interconnected adjustable supporting units' .6, here shown as twenty-seven in number. Each of these units (Figs. 3-6) comprise an elongate U-shaped length of spring steel bent to form parallel torsion bars 8 and 10 having an interconnecting web 11 which defines the relatively fixed ends of the bars. The bars 8 and '10 are slidably mounted in slots 12 formed in the end portions of torsion arms 14 and 16. The free end of the arm 16 is anchored to the base 1 by a cleat 18 which permits the arm to pivot at right anglesto the torsion bars but otherwise holds it fixed, and the free end of the arm 14 is pivotally connected to a supporting wire 20 (Figs. 1-4) which is one of several wires constituting a supporting assembly.

Coupling means 22 (Figs. 3-6) interconnects the torsion bars with the adjacent end portions of the arms and acts through the web 11 to cause the arms to swing simultaneously in opposite directions, thereby being efiective to translate the curvilinear motion of the arms in a substantially linear motion of the supporting wire, as indicated by the broken line 2-2 of Fig. 4. The particular I coupling means herein shown comprises two pairs of disklike members 24 each having a peripheral recess 25 (Fig. 6) on its inner edge and formed with spaced circular holes 26 and an intermediate slot 28 through which one of the torsion bars pass. The disks 24 are juxtaposed to the inner and outer faces of the arms 14 and 16 and the assemblage is clamped together between washers 30 by rivets 32 which pass through the holes 26 and corresponding holes in the arms 14 and 16. A pair of elliptical bands or hoops 34 are received in the recesses 25 so as to hold the pairs of disks in tangential relation thus maintaining the torsion bars in substantial parallelism, and still permit rotation of the disks in opposite directions.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the units 6 are arranged in longitudinally aligned groups so that one supporting wire 20 is connected with the ends of all the arms 14 in an aligned group and the several supporting wires are equally spaced from the longitudinal edges of the mattress.

The Webs ll. of each pair of torsion bars carry hooks 36 interconnected so that the torsion bars may be simultaneously slipped endwise through the slots 12 in the arms 14 and 16.

In order to move all groups of units simultaneously, the outer ends of the torsion bars of the outermost units of each grouplare connected with wires or flexible strands 40 which pass about a series of guide pulleys 42 carried by pedestals 44- (Fig. 2) mounted on the base 1 and then pass about other guide pulleys 45 (Fig.1) similarly mounted at the corners of the mattress. After passing about the pulleys .45, the wires 46 may be tied or twisted together and then passed out through suitable openings in the mattress Wall 5. The ends of the tied wire 40 may be connected with a handle 46 conveniently located for operation by theoccupant, and in order to limit the movements of the wires 40 stop rings 48 (Fig. 1) or the like may be provided so as to engage themarginal portions surrounding the openings in the side Wall or other abutments which may be provided.

In event greater stability for the units is desired flexible struts such as wires 50 may extend from the free ends of the arms 14 to the cleats 18 as shown in Fig. 1. Mounted on the supporting wires 26) is a heavy padding 52 (Fig. 2) which may include cross wires (not shown) connected with the wires 20 and the peripheral edge of this padding is secured to the upper edge of the side wall 5 in any suitable manner.-

'It'will be noted that the non-adjustable springs are confined to the margins'of the mattress where they provide sutiicient support merely to maintain the shape ;of the mattress,--and the central area of the mattress which of the mattress.

normally bears at least the major part of the weight of the occupant carries my adjustable supporting units. When the units are positioned as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, they are set for maximum resiliency and when the handle 46is moved to the left as far as it will go then the units are set for minimum resiliency or yield. Between these extremes the units may be set for any desired resiliency by moving the handle, which may be readily done by the occupant.

The modification shown in Figs. 7 to 12 is like the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6 in that the mattress has a bottom 53, top 54, sides 55 and a cable 56, coil springs 57, wires 58 for supporting the top wall of the mattress and cables 59 leading outside the mattress for controlling the resiliency of the mattress. However the torsion. springs and the adjustment therefor are different as'will now be described. a

The torsion springs are in the form of bars 69 ex tending almost the full length of the mattress. At intervals they are held against twisting by brackets 62 fast to the bottom '53. Intermediate the brackets 62 are lever arms 63 and 64 interconnected through a U-shaped clamp 65lwhich straddles the spring, each arm 64 being pivoted to the clamp by means of a screw 66 which'swings from the position under the arm 63 as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 to a position parallel to the Spring as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. Mounted on the outer end of the arm 64 is a curved extension 67 towhich the cable 59 is connected at 68 and under the outer end of the arm 64 is a curved bearing plate. 69 fast to the bottom wall of the mattress. The wires 58 are connected to the outer ends of the arms 63 at 70. The arms 64 bear on the plates 69 through pins 71 as shown in 'FigS. 10 and 12. The arms 63 and 64 are relatively rigid but the arms 64 may have some resiliency.

When the parts are in theposition shown in Figs. 7 to 10 with the arms 63 directly over the arms 64, the resiliency of the mattress is at a minimum owing to the stiffness of the arms 63 and 64; with the free end of the arm 64 bearing onfthe bottom 53 of the mattress the spring60 is not free toztwist. With the arms 64 swung 90 to. the position shown in Figs. 11 and .12 the resiliency ofthe mattress is at amaximum because the torsion spring 60 is free. to twist to the position shown in Fig. 12 in response to downward pressure on the top 54 At intermediate positions of the arm 64 the mattress has different degrees of softness depend ing upon the position. This construction has a great range of control and wide manufacturing tolerances.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the two embodiments shown in Figs. 1 to 6 and Figs. 7 to 12 respectively have several novel features in common including .the following. Each has actuating means for transmitting the depression of the top of the mattress into twisting of the springs (1416 and 63-64), means resisting rotation of a portion of each spring (11. and 64 71) and means for shifting the resisting means relatively to the actuating means (36-3840-46 and 59-69). In each embodiment the actuating means includes an arm (14 and 63) connected to the spring and extending to the top wall'of the mattress, the arm being movable in a plane extending transversely of the spring, and the rotation resisting means (11 and 64-71) is movable transversely of this plane, the resistance to rotation being inversely proportional to its distance from the plane so sisting means is farthest from the plane. In the first embodiment the springs areshift-able lengthwise and a;

shift of the rotation-resisting means 11 varies the effective length of the springs. has an arm 64 pivotally connected to the spring and a bearing surface 69 for supporting the arm in various angular relations to the spring (Figs. 9 and 11), a portion 71 of the arm bearing on said surface and being shaped to permit tilting (Fig. 12), whereby the spring is increasingly free to twist as the outer end of the arm is shiftedtoward the spring from the position shown in Fig. 10;to the position shown in Fig. 12.

It should be understood that the present discolsure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A mattress comprising top and bottom walls, series of elongate torsion springs between said walls, actuating means bridging the space between said walls for twisting one end of each spring relatively to its other end in response to movement of one wall toward the other wall, and adjusting means for varying. the effective length of said springs thereby to vary their resistance to said actuating means, said adjusting means including an actuator extending outside the mattress.

2. A mattress comprising a rectangular base, a plurality of longitudinally extending, spaced relatively stiif wires providing a support for a pad coextensive with said base, springs mounted on and disposed about the marginalportions of said base so as to support the marginal portions of said .pad, and a plurality of resilient supporting units mounted on said base and arranged in spaced groups at the central portion thereof, each of said units comprising a pair of spaced, substantially parallel torsion bars relatively fixed at one end so that their other ends are free to flex transversely of their longitudinal axes, a pair of torsion arms having corresponding end portions mounted on said torsion bars, the free end portion of one of said arms being anchored to said base and the free end of the other arm being secured to one of said supporting wires, and coupling means intercom 5. A mattresses set forth in claim 4, wherein said tor- The second embodiment sion bars are interconnected so that they are simultaneously adjustable to vary the resiliency of said units.

6. A mattress as set forth in claim 5, wherein the interconnection includes cords which extend along the side of the mattress so that it can be manipulated by the occupant.

7. A mattress comprising a rectangular base, a plurality of longitudinally extending, spaced, relatively stiif wires providing a support for a pad coextensive with said base, springs mounted on and disposed about the marginal portions of said base so as to support the marginal portionsof said pad, and a plurality of supporting units of adjustable resilience mounted on said base and arranged in spaced groups at the central portion thereof, each of said units comprising a torsion bar relatively fixed at spaced locations so that the bar is free to flex between said locations, a torsion arm having an end portion attached to one of said supporting wires, the other end portion thereof being mounted on said bar intermediate said locations for flexing the bar transversely of its longitudinal axis in response to a load exerted upon said pad, and a lever arm having an end portion abutting the base, the other end portion thereof being movably mounted on said bar for adjustment of the base abutting end from a position beneath the torsion arm to a lateral position, thereby to vary the response of the bar to a load exerted upon the pad.

8. A mattress comprising a rectangular base, a plurality of longitudinally extending, spaced, relatively stiif wires providing a support for a pad coextensive with said base, springs mounted on and disposed about the marginal portions of said base so as to support the marginal portions of said pad, and a plurality of supporting units of adjustable resilience mounted on said base and arranged in spaced groups at the central portion thereof, each of said units comprising a torsion bar relatively fixed at spaced locations so that the bar is free to fiex between said locations, a torsion arm having an end portion attached to one of said supporting wires, the other end portion thereof being mounted on said bar intermediate said locations for flexing the bar transversely of its longitudinal axis in response to a load exerted upon said pad, and a lever arm having an end portion abutting the base, the other end portion thereof being pivotally mounted on said bar for adjustment of the base abutting end from a position beneath the torsion arm to a lateral position, thereby to vary the response of the bar to a load exerted upon the pad.

9. A mattress comprising top and bottom walls, elongate torsion springs between the walls, actuating means responsive to depression of the top Wall for twisting the several springs, means associated with the several springs for resisting rotation of portions of the springs, and means extending outside the mattress for moving the resisting means to vary their effectiveness in resisting such rotation.

10. A mattress comprising top and bottom walls, elongate torsion springs between the walls, actuating means responsive to depression of the top wall for twisting the several springs, said means including an arm connected to the spring and extending to one of said walls, the arm being movable in a plane extending transversely of the spring in response to weight on the mattress, and means associated with the several springs and movable transversely of said plane to resist rotation of portions of the springs by the arm in inverse proportion to the distance of said last means from said plane.

11. A mattress comprising top and bottom elements, torsion springs within the mattress, actuating means for transmitting depression of the top element into twisting of the springs, means resisting rotation of a portion of each of the several springs by the actuating means, and means for shifting the several resisting means relative to the actuating means to vary the efiectiveness of the resisting means.

12. A mattress according to claim 11 in which the shifting of the rotation-resisting means varies the effective length of the springs.

13. A mattress according to claim 11 in which the springs are shiftable lengthwise.

14. A mattress as claimed in claim 10 in which each rotation-resisting means includes an arm pivotally connected to the spring, a bearing surface for supporting the arm in various angular relations to the spring, a portion of said arm bearing on said surface and being shaped to permit tilting of the member relative to the bearing surface, whereby as the outer end of the arm is shifted toward the spring the spring is increasingly free to twist.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 397,366 Jarrell Feb. 5, 1889 2,595,039 Woller Apr. 29, 1952 2,675,566 Lieberman Apr. 20, 1954 2,757,926 Nallinger Aug. 7, 1956 2,773,270 Rozelle Dec. 11, 1956 

